WARM DECEMBER

It is a Warm December in Oklahoma!  We love the sunshine.  We needed the sunshine so we could clean up all the branches from our ice storm.

MONDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2015 
After Seminary I went straight to the temple to do some paper work for The Temple Presidency.  The temple is closed for cleaning for two weeks, so it was a great morning in the quiet of the temple.

We spent the evening with The Hutto's and Mary Newman.  Karen fixed chicken noodle soup...and of course she made the noodles...it was to die for...so yummy.  We had warm chocolate chip cookies for dessert.  We studied Elder Anderson's last two conference talks.  Then we watched the movie "Once I Was A Beehive".  I think they all liked the movie, but Karen said our Brenna would probably be disappointed when she attends camp after watching this fun movie!  Karen does not let me take pictures of her, so I took a picture of her table decoration.  Thank you Hutto's for the fun evening.  Mary gave us some chocolate mice...they were yummy, thanks for those too Mary!

TUESDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2015
I am teaching Seminary this morning.  We are studying about Moses striking the rock to bring forth water.  I had a stick and hit the table with it and I even freaked out Grandpa Arthur!  Of course you know that Moses took credit and The Lord chastised he and Aaron.  It was a good lesson for all of us to remember.  My favorite part of the lesson was Numbers 21:16  "They went to "Beer", the well and The Lord said, "I will give them water".  I jokingly told the youth when someone offers them Beer to make sure they tell their friends, "The Lord has given us water instead".  I just love the symbolism in that well!
After this lesson I accompanied Heather to Dr. Hennebry's office for her check up.  He said she was doing well.  He wants her to have an echo as soon as her family returns from their Christmas excursion.  Heather was relieved she is doing good.  She is bruising all over though because of the blood thinner she is on.  Dr. Hennebry told her that she should try and stay on it for 6 months.  That made her a little sad.  She also has a cold so is not feeling well.  He also told me to call his office tomorrow if his assistant didn't call to schedule my last surgery.
Grandpa Arthur went over and helped Kenneth Hutto cut up tree branches most of the day.  They about got his yard looking good again.
WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2015
We discussed the grumpy Prophet Balaam this morning.  It is fun that at Christmas we speak of an Angel appearing to a donkey!  Numbers 22:21-36  Balaam got so so mad at that donkey, and the students were surprised that Balaam just answered the donkey when he spoke to him.  Emma said, "What do you think a donkey voice sounds like"?  Grandpa Arthur tried to make a donkey sound like his Grandpa Tanner used to make.  We all had a good laugh and pondered this interesting Old Testament Story.  We also pondered how The Lord taught His Prophet Balaam to do what He requests!  So many things to think about...brain ache.

There was the most beautiful sunrise when we exited the Church this morning after Seminary.  We just pulled the truck over and sat and watched it till the colors began to fade.

GRANDPA ARTHUR DUG UP THE ROOF AGAIN.  He dug it up in the corner by our bedroom.
He is a trooper.  The corner seam was so open...he pounded a stick into the seam.

He did not have to dig up as much dirt, but it was enough.  A gopher dug into the hole during the night.  Dumb, or I should say smart, gophers.  They are a pain!

This is how it looks now that Grandpa Arthur filled in the hole and patched it.  He is letting it dry out tonight.  Bring on the rain!

Brother Sharp painted our garage for us today.  We now have a clean garage for the Christmas Season.  Thank you, Brother Sharp, our garage walls were disgusting.  I believe if our cars could talk, like Balaam's donkey, they would thank you for making their home so lovely!  We certainly thank you!  It was a WARM DECEMBER day and a perfect day to paint a new coat on the walls.  We have some cupboards that Brother Sharp suggested we put handles on to make them easier to open.  We have lived in this cave for over 30 years and never even thought of putting knobs on those cupboards.  Silly us.  Thank's to Brother Sharp our cupboards are getting a Christmas present this year.  See how nice and clean these garage cupboards look!


I served in the temple office again today.  It sure is a lot easier to get letters written when the temple is closed.  I about got the office caught up with their correspondence.  The temple is starting to look ready to open next week.  Nothing like a winter cleaning to bring the angels in!  Thank's, President and Sister Roberts for inviting me to serve this week.  The temple carries the best Christmas Spirit even when it is getting spruced up for the next six months.  The Nativity looks like it is displayed in
a Spring setting.  Merry Christmas to all who go to The House of The Lord during this Glorious Season! I asked the donkey if he talked but he just kept staring at the ground and didn't answer.

BYU Basketball team is playing Utah State this evening.  Grandpa Arthur is excited!  Go sons of Rose! BYU Cougars 80 - Utah State Aggies 68!

THURSDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2015
CUPBOARD knobs: It's still a WARM DECEMBER, and a Merry Christmas to our cupboards.

Heather invited me to Lukes Christmas luncheon and chior.  Yah...he was a cute as a bugs ear...no lunch for me...just him and the noise level was torture...loved being there!

How could we get into the Christmas Spirit if it weren't for our Grandchildren?  Leif and Luke like
designing their own holiday attire!

SATURDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2016
Our Friday Seminary Program for the Junior and Senior Class went on without a hitch.  Our students read the class a story, Emma played "Greenleaves" on her violin, each student spoke of what Christmas means to them ( They had me crying as they shared their thoughts).  We left their upper classmen with donuts and farewells from the fantastic Freshman class.  When I got home, from our teaching, The Book of Deuteronomy,  I realized I forgot to take any pictures... maybe next time.

Our Ward Christmas Party:
It was last evening and was well organized, tasty and great program.  Thank's OKC 7th Ward for bringing on the Christmas Holiday.

 The Bishopric and Young Men sang for us!

 Luke licking off the ice cream...got to get it all!

Jake went back for seconds, thirds, fourths...to think he used to not eat?

The Primary children sang for us.  We also had a quartet by some Relief Society Sisters that was fantastic and a sister played the harp.  Bishop told a Christmas Story about his dad and some pet geese.  It was a great evening.  Thank's to all who made it possible.

My wonderful son, Ryan, came over this morning and helped his dad hang a tv in our bedroom.  Now I too have a good tv to watch when the many ballgames are on in the family room.  Yay!  Thank you Ryan.  He and Sarah have been making a stocking holder for their mantle...such talent!
I got to spend some time with Rachel today while her daddy was helping Grandpa Art.  Thank's for going grocery shopping with me Rachel.

Our two granddaughters in Austin are cheerleaders and their team won today.  They travel to Houston & play Katy next week to see if their school can take State...pretty impressive for a small Texas school!  We believe our beautiful granddaughters already make this school a winner!  Go Lake Travis!
Cecily and her dad Eric!

Lauren!

And that is what is happening in our neck of the woods...we hope each of you are having a good week.  Our friends Dee and Laurie stopped by yesterday...thanks!  Friends are such a blessing.  We hope each of you have family around you this Holiday Season.  Remember to tell your children you love them.  We adore our family and are so thankful for each of you!
Merry, Merry Christmas friends and family.
From a WARM DECEMBER in Oklahoma we wish you a peaceful Sabbath and a joyful week.
Blessings to each of you.
Hug's always,
Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene
Arthur and Gene